Nursing instructor Cheryl Puntil receives national recognition for work in psychiatric nursing

Puntil will be recognized for her commitment, initiative, loyalty, integrity and exceptional and meritorious service at the 31st Annual National APNA Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on October 18. With more than 10,000 members, APNA is the largest professional membership organization committed to the specialty practice of psychiatric mental health (PMH) nursing and wellness promotion, prevention of mental health problems, and the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disorders.

Puntil and several APNA colleagues worked on the APNA Essential Suicide Competencies for nurse assessment and management of individuals at risk for suicide.

"Through [Cheryl's] vision, determination, and perseverance, the APNA Suicide Competencies initiative became a reality and an exemplar, continues to expand, and addresses both a major national public health problem and gap in nursing education," Puntil's colleagues stated.

"Through [Cheryl's] vision, determination, and perseverance, the APNA Suicide Competencies initiative became a reality and an exemplar, continues to expand, and addresses both a major national public health problem and gap in nursing education," Puntil's colleagues stated.

"It is an incredible honor to receive the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Award for Distinguished Service," said Puntil. "I followed my passion and was lucky to find awesome mentors who paved the way for me to assist in establishing competencies that will change nursing practice and improve care for those at risk for suicide. I was very surprised and grateful for the acknowledgment from my esteemed colleagues who nominated me, and to the APNA board for voting on my behalf to receive the award."

Puntil received her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing from the College of Saint Teresa and her Master's of Science in Nursing from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is certified as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and aPsychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS-BC).

With suicide the second leading cause of death for persons 15-34, Hawai'i Community College has taken an active approach to suicide prevention. The college has established a Mental Wellness and Personal Development Service that offers services to students and leads trainings for faculty, staff and students in Safe Talk and QPR. Puntil has also brought Safe Talk training to Hawai'i CC Nursing students.

The college will participate in National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September with tabling events, sign making and sign waving on September 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The goal is to bring awareness to the issue of suicidality and and enhance prevention efforts, said De Soto.

"We want to reduce the stigma of depression and suicidal thoughts so people have fewer barries to seeking help," De Soto said. "The more we show support as a community, the more people are likely to speak up and the more people are likely to know what to do if someone does speak up."

Students seeking services from the Mental Wellness and Personal Development office can contact De Soto at 934-2706 and kdesoto@hawaii.edu.

Happy holidays to all! This is a time of year for reflecting on the many things in life there are to be grateful for, and one of those is the amazing community support Hawai‘i Community College receives from Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaii (JCCIH).

Hawai‘i Community College Alumni & ‘Ohana is pleased to announce that nominations for the Alumni of the Year Award are now open. The award, established in 2017, recognizes Hawai‘i CC alumni and former students who have made major contributions to their professions, vocations, and/or communities.

Kick off the holiday season and celebrate the 30th year of the festive Christmas with the Chefs, Saturday, Dec.1. The annual gala is on the seaside grounds of Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel from 5:30-8 p.m.

After graduating from high school on O’ahu in 2010, Noah Patterson Hanohano Dolim needed direction. He was an underachieving student in high school, Dolim says, and he didn’t know what to do next. That’s when he decided to move to Hilo and enroll at Hawai‘i Community College. With family on Hawai‘i Island, it seemed like a smart move, and it turns out he was right.

Poets Christy Passion, Ann Inoshita, Juliet Kono and Jean Yamasaki Toyama will read from their work that revisits the 1932 kidnapping and murder of Native Hawaiian prize fighter Joseph Kahahawai and the events surrounding it, commonly known as “The Massie Case.” The poetry reading will be followed by a Q&A.

This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

“Coming to Hawai’i Community College was my rebirth, my reinvention of myself. Since then I’ve been on the path of school, and I haven’t stopped yet. I think if I’d gone straight to a four-year university, I don’t think I would have made it. The transition would have been too hard. I really needed the smaller school.”